Due to strong influences of Muslim and Russian Orthodox beliefs, the Kazakhs have developed a patriarchal view of the world. The man is the provider and women usually are the heart of the home. There are some common features that form their national character, such as hospitality and a great respect for the elderly. People still see family and community as the center of their lives.
Kazakhstan is by far the largest of the Central Asian states of the former Soviet Union. Kazakh and Russian are the biggest ethnic groups. Muslim form 47% of population while Russian Orthodox comprises 44%. Kazakhstan has immense untouched landscapes with a unique mix of true desert, steppes, savannas, taiga, tundra, wild forests, and pristine lakes and rivers. The climate is continental and is characterized by cold winters and hot summers. Kazakh and Russian are both the official languages of Kazakhstan.
